US3927899A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Vehicle steering apparatus
Assignee: Northrop Grumman Space and Mission Systems Corp
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Filing: 1974-03-22
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Granted: 1975-12-23
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Expires: 1994-03-22
Abstract
Abstract An improved vehicle steering apparatus includes a flexible torque transmitting assembly which is capable of transmitting rotational motion along a curved path from an input member connected with a steering wheel to a mechanism for turning the wheels. The torque transmitting assembly includes a series of elements which are disposed in a row. The elements have intermeshing teeth which enable them to transmit torque from one element to another as they are rotated upon rotation of the steering wheel. The torque transmitting elements are enclosed in a flexible tubular casing and are held against sideways movement relative to each other by a flexible central cable or shaft.
Inventors
- 👤 Dale E Bough
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 04:48
CPC Classifications
B; B62; B62D; B62D1/00; B62D1/02; B62D1/16; B62D1/163; B62D1/20; F; F16; F16C; F16C1/00; F16C1/02; F16C1/04; F16C1/26; F16C1/28; F16C2326/00; F16C2326/20; F16C2326/24; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T74/00; Y10T74/20; Y10T74/20396; Y10T74/20402; Y10T74/20444
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
464 words
An apparatus for use in steering a vehicle, said apparatus comprising a steering column, a rotatable steering shaft disposed within said steering column, a manually rotatable input member disposed at one end portion of said steering column and connected with a first end portion of said steering shaft, said input member being rotatable to effect rotation of said steering shaft, drive means for turning at least one wheel of the vehicle in response to an input torque, said drive means being disposed forwardly and offset to one side of said steering shaft at a level lower than said input member, and torque transmitting means connected with a second end portion of said steering shaft for transmitting torque to said drive means along a path having both horizontally and vertically curved components in response to rotation of said steering shaft by said input member, said torque transmitting means comprising a series of adjacent torque transmitting bodies including a rotatable input body connected with said second end portion of said steering shaft, a rotatable output body connected with said drive means, a series of rotatable intermediate bodies disposed in a continuous row which extends between said input and output bodies along a nonlinear path having an arcuately curving portion of a length which is greater than the length of a plurality of said intermediate bodies, each one of said intermediate bodies having first surface means disposed in abutting engagement with a next preceding body for positively transmitting rotational motion between said preceding body and said one body without relative rotation between said one body and said preceeding body upon rotation of said steering shaft and variations in the torque transmitted to said drive means and second surface means disposed in abutting engagement with a next succeeding body for positively transmitting rotational motion between said one body and said next succeeding body without relative rotation between said one body and said preceeding body upon rotation of said steering shaft and variations in the torque transmitted to said drive means, each of said intermediate bodies having an outer surface portion which has a smooth circular cross sectional configuration in a plane extending perpendicular to the central axis of said intermediate body, an elongated tubular casing having a longitudinally extending central passage with both horizontally and vertically curved components, said passage having a side surface with a generally circular cross sectional configuration in a plane extending perpendicular to the central axis of said casing, said side surface of said passage being disposed in circumscribing abutting engagement with the smooth circular outer surface portion of each of said intermediate bodies to at least partially support said intermediate bodies for rotation about their central axis, and means for holding said tubular casing against rotatioinal movement during rotation of said intermediate bodies.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
464 words
An apparatus for use in steering a vehicle, said apparatus comprising a steering column, a rotatable steering shaft disposed within said steering column, a manually rotatable input member disposed at one end portion of said steering column and connected with a first end portion of said steering shaft, said input member being rotatable to effect rotation of said steering shaft, drive means for turning at least one wheel of the vehicle in response to an input torque, said drive means being disposed forwardly and offset to one side of said steering shaft at a level lower than said input member, and torque transmitting means connected with a second end portion of said steering shaft for transmitting torque to said drive means along a path having both horizontally and vertically curved components in response to rotation of said steering shaft by said input member, said torque transmitting means comprising a series of adjacent torque transmitting bodies including a rotatable input body connected with said second end portion of said steering shaft, a rotatable output body connected with said drive means, a series of rotatable intermediate bodies disposed in a continuous row which extends between said input and output bodies along a nonlinear path having an arcuately curving portion of a length which is greater than the length of a plurality of said intermediate bodies, each one of said intermediate bodies having first surface means disposed in abutting engagement with a next preceding body for positively transmitting rotational motion between said preceding body and said one body without relative rotation between said one body and said preceeding body upon rotation of said steering shaft and variations in the torque transmitted to said drive means and second surface means disposed in abutting engagement with a next succeeding body for positively transmitting rotational motion between said one body and said next succeeding body without relative rotation between said one body and said preceeding body upon rotation of said steering shaft and variations in the torque transmitted to said drive means, each of said intermediate bodies having an outer surface portion which has a smooth circular cross sectional configuration in a plane extending perpendicular to the central axis of said intermediate body, an elongated tubular casing having a longitudinally extending central passage with both horizontally and vertically curved components, said passage having a side surface with a generally circular cross sectional configuration in a plane extending perpendicular to the central axis of said casing, said side surface of said passage being disposed in circumscribing abutting engagement with the smooth circular outer surface portion of each of said intermediate bodies to at least partially support said intermediate bodies for rotation about their central axis, and means for holding said tubular casing against rotatioinal movement during rotation of said intermediate bodies.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
55 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein each of said intermediate bodies further includes third surface means for defining a central passage extending axially through the intermediate body, said apparatus further including an elongated flexible retaining means extending through said passages in said intermediate bodies for retaining said intermediate bodies in a row.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
70 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 1 further including means for connecting said drive means with the wheel for movement therewith relative to the frame of the vehicle, said torque transmitting means including means for enabling said intermediate bodies to move relative to each other to vary the configuration of the nonlinear path upon movement of said drive means with the wheel relative to the frame of the vehicle.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
78 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 1 further including means for enabling said manually rotatable input member to move relative to the frame of the vehicle along a Second path extending transversely to the axis of rotation of said input member, said torque transmitting means including means for enabling said intermediate bodies to move relative to each other to vary the configuration of the nonlinear path upon movement of said rotatable input member along the second path.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
49 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said drive means includes a rack and pinion gear assembly adapted to be mounted on an axle of the vehicle for movement therewith relative to said steering shaft, said output body being connected with said rack and pinion gear assembly.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
54 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said first surface means on each of said intermediate bodies includes an annular array of teeth, said second surface means on each of said intermediate bodies includes a second annular array of teeth disposed in a coaxial relationship with said first annular array of teeth.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
54 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said first surface means includes an arcuate tooth projecting outwardly from one end portion of the associated one of said intermediate bodies and said second surface means includes arcuate recess means for receiving an arcuate tooth on a next adjacent one of said intermediate bodies.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
65 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said first and second surface means on some of said intermediate bodies includes arcuate teeth extending outwardly from opposite end portions of said bodies and wherein said first and second surface means on other of said intermediate bodies includes arcuate recess means formed in opposite end portions of said other bodies for receiving said arucate teeth.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-12-22 | 1979-06-23 | 1979-12-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-12-22 | 1983-06-23 | 1983-12-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-12-22 | 1987-06-23 | 1987-12-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |